Tool actuated quick acting slide valve



Sept? 1, 1964, H. P. BISHOP 3,146,483

TOOL. ACTUATED QUICK ACTING SLIDE VALVE Filed Sept. 5, 1962 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Ha/roloLP. Bishop 9M0, Wave-48 W ATTORNEYS I Sept. 1, 1964 H. P. BISHOP 3,146,483

- TOOL ACTUATED quxcx ACTING SLIDE VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 5, 1962 Il'"' milk as 72 Wm 83 W 1 v4 I INVENIJOR.

Harold Buslw v 4a BY 35 44' I9 ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,146,483 TOOL ACTUATED QUICK ACTING SLIDE VALVE Harold P. Bishop, 512 W. Gorgas St., Louisville, Ohio Filed Sept. 5, 1962, Ser. No. $21,594 13 Claims. (Cl. 15-314) ventional vacuum cleaning tool, and means operated by removal of the cleaning tool from the support for opening the valve and simultaneously closing a switch in the circuit to the vacuum apparatus, and for closing the valve and opening the switch when the cleaning tool is replaced upon the support.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a quick acting slide valve for a vacuum cleaning system having means for supporting a vacuum cleaning tool thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the slide valve is automatically and instantly opened by removal of the cleaning tool, and is automatically and instantly closed by returning the cleaning tool to the support.

A further object of the invention is to provide a quick acting slide valve of the character referred to having means for closing a switch in the circuit to the vacuum apparatus when the valve is opened and for opening the switch when the valve is closed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character comprising an elongated, fiat valve casing with a slide valve therein controlling the inlet from a flexible hose to a vacuum line, jaws mounted upon the slide valve for supporting a vacuum cleaning tool upon the free end of the hose, and a switch controlling a circuit to the vacuum apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the valve is moved to open position and the switch is moved to closed position by removal of the vacuum cleaning tool from said jaws, and in which the valve is returned to closed position and the switch is returned to open position by replacing the vacuum cleaning tool in said jaws.

A further object of the invention is to provide a quick acting slide valve which is self-cleaning.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of the character referred to which comprises an inlet valve for a vacuum cleaning system, and which may be detachably mounted as a unit upon a light pole or other suitable support.

The above and other objects, apparent from the drawings and following description, may be attained, the above described difficulties overcome and the. advantages and results obtained, by the apparatus, construction, arrangement and combinations, subcombinations and parts which comprise the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principle, being set forth in detail in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In general terms, the invention may be briefly described as comprising an elongated, substantially flat valve casing formed of two separable parts having registering openings therein. A tube leading to, a vacuum 3,146,483 Patented Sept. 1, 1964 ice producing apparatus is connected to one part of easing (preferably the upper part) and communicates with the opening therein.

A hose connection is attached to the opening in the other part of the casing, a conventional flexible hose being connected thereto and having a vacuum cleaning tool of any usual and well known construction at the free end thereof.

A slide valve in the form of a flat plate of metal, or the like, is longitudinally slidably located within the twopiece valve casing, and has an opening therein adapted to be moved into and out of registering position with the apertures in the casing members. The sliding valve is preferably spring-loaded to normally return it to closed position.

A pair of jaws are pivotally connected to the outer end of the sliding valve plate for supporting the vacuum cleaning tool when the same is not in use. These jaws are preferably spring-loaded to normally urge them to opened or separated position.

These jaws are preferably pivotally mounted within a recess in the outer end of a block of nylon or the like attached to the outer end of the sliding valve plate, and the spring-loading means therefor may be located in said recess.

With the sliding valve plate in open position, with the jaws extending from the outer end of the casing in opened or separated position, the vacuum cleaning tool may be inserted between the opened jaws with sufiicient pressure to close the jaws against the pressure of the springs associated therewith.

The springs upon the sliding valve plate will immediately slide it inwardly to closed position, and the vacuum cleaning tool will be supported between the closed jaws. When it is desired to use the vacuum device, the cleaning tool is pulled outwardly, sliding the valve plate to open position and opening the jaws to release the cleaning tool.

A switch for the circuit to the vacuum-producing apparatus is adapted to be closed by opening of the valve and to be opened by closing the valve. This switch may be in the form of a microswitch located in a recess in one edge of one of the casing members and having an insulation stud extending into the path of the adjacent edge of the sliding valve plate.

A portion of this edge of the clined outwardly so as to cause the switch to open when the valve is in closed position. As the valve plate is slidably moved to open position the straight edge thereof will contact the insulation stud closing the switch.

The valve casing as above described is adapted to be mounted upon a bracket supporting the vacuum inlet pipe, said bracket being attached to a light pole or the like.

In another embodiment of the invention, the sliding valve plate is rotatably slidable within the casing so as to rotate about a fixed pivot from closed to open position and vice versa. This embodiment of the invention provides a simple, inexpensive valve.

The nylon block is dispensed with, and instead of having pivoted jaws for receiving the tubular neck of the vacuum cleaning tool, an integral hooked finger is formed upon the sliding valve plate for this purpose.

By inserting the tubular neck of the cleaning tool between the guide rails of the casing and pushing inwardly against the outer edge of the valve plate, the same is rotated to closed position. When the cleaning tool is pulled outwardly away from the valve casing, it contacts the hooked finger on the valve plate and rotates it to open position.

Means such as a spring detent device is provided for urging the rotary valve plate to either open or closed sliding valve plate is inposition until operated as above described to rotate it to the other position.

A switch controlling the circuit to the motor of the vacuum producing apparatus is arranged to be automatically closed and opened by the opening and closing respectively of the valve plate.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve device embodying the invention, showing the vacuum cleaning tool supported thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, longitudinal sectional view through the valve casing, showing the slide valve in closed position, and the supporting jaws for the cleaning tool in closed or retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lower casing member, with parts broken away, showing the slide valve in open position with the tool supporting jaws in opened or extended position, and the microswitch in closed position;

FIG. 4 is a transverse, sectional view on the line 44, FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view showing a modified form of spring loading device for throwing the jaws to open position when the sliding valve plate is moved to open position by removal of the vacuum cleaning tool;

FIG. 6 is a plan view, with the upper casing member removed and parts broken in section, showing a modified form of the .device having a rotatable sliding valve plate which is shown in closed position in full lines and in open position in broken lines;

FIG. 7 is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view of the valve shown in FIG. 6; and,

' FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view of a further modification of rotatable slide valve.

Reference is now made to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in FIG. 1, the valve casing indicated generally at 1, may be supported upon a bracket 2, attached to a light pole 3 or the like, as by the U-bolt 4-. V

The valve casing 1 is shown as formed of the upper member 5 and the lower member 6, detachably connected together by screws 7. Each of the valve casing members is of substantially elongated rectangular shape and relatively flat as appears in the drawings.

Registering apertures 8 and 9 are formed in the upper and lower valve casing members 5 and 6. An inlet elbow 10 communicates with the aperture 8 and is attached to the upper casing member 5 by the flange 11 and screws 12.

The elbow 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as connected to the elbow 13 of the inlet tube 14 which leads to a vacuum producing apparatus of any usual and well known construction. As shown in FIG. 1, the elbow 13 of the inlet pipe 14 is supported by the bracket 2.

A hose coupling 15 communicates with the aperture 9 and is attached to and depends from the lower valve casing member 6, for connection of the adaptor 16 upon one .end of the flexible hose 17. Upon the free end of the hose 17, a vacuum cleaning tool of any usual and well known construction is attached as indicated at 18 in FIG. 1.

A pair of spaced, parallel, straight guide rails 19 are formed integrally upon the outer end of the lower casing member 6 and extend outwardly therefrom in continuation of the side edges thereof. A similar pair of spaced, parallel, straight guide rails 20 are formed upon the outer end of the upper casing member.

The longitudinal central portion of the lower casing member 6 is recessed in its upper surface, as shown at 21, and the upper casing member 5 has a depending longitudinal rib 22, of slightly less depth than the recess, fitting therein and providing a guideway 23 for the slide valve.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the slide valve comprises a flat plate 24 longitudinally slidable inthe guideway 23,

and having an opening 25 therein adapted to register with the apertures 8 and 9 in the upper and lower casing members, when the slide valve is moved to open position, as will be later explained in detail.

A block 26, preferably made of nylon, is attached to the outer end of the slide valve 24, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For this purpose, the inner end of the block 26 is shown as cut out at 27, and the outer end of the slide valve 24 is attached thereto by screws 28.

The nylon block 26 has longitudinal ribs 29 at its side edges for sliding engagement in the guide grooves 30 formed in opposed edges of the guide rails 19. Coil springs 31 are connected at opposite ends to studs 32 on the bottom of the nylon block 26, and to studs 33 on the underside of the lower casing member 6, for normally urging the sliding valve plate 24 to closed position, as shown in FIG. 2.

The outer end of the nylon block 26 is recessed, as shown at 34, and a pair of jaws 35 are pivoted thereon, as indicated at 36. The opposed faces 37 of the jaws 35 are concaved, of substantially semi-circular shape, so as to support the tubular shank 38 of the cleaning tool 18 therebetween, as will be later described.

Spring means is provided in the recess 34 of the nylon block for normally urging the jaws 35 to open position, as shown in FIG. 3, when the slide valve is in open position. Any conventional type of spring means may be provided for this purpose, a preferred arrangement being shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

This spring means is shown as comprising a pair of coil springs 39 located in spaced cavities 40 in the block 26 and urging the plate 41 against the inner ends 42 of the jaws 35. As shown in FIG. 3, the spring-loaded plate 41 thus swings the jaws 35 upon their pivots, moving them away from each other, or to open position so as to release the tubular neck 38 of the cleaning tool 18, as will be later described. I

When the jaws 35 are thus forced apart, the shoulders 43 thereon will be held in engagement with the shoulders 4 at the outer end portions of the guide rails 19 on the lower casing member 6, providing pivoted spring-loaded latching means actuated by opening movement of the sliding valve plate 24 to hold the same in open position. The coil springs 39 are of suflicient strength to overcome the pull of the coil springs 31 and thus hold the slide valve in open position. 7

For the purpose of limiting the opening movement of the slide valve 24, so as to position the opening Z'Stherein to register with the apertures 8 and 9 in the casing members, one longitudinal edge of the sliding valve plate has a longitudinal notch 45 therein, extending from the outer end of the valve plate 24 to a point intermediate its ends, and terminating in the shoulder 46 which contacts the stop stud 47 in the interior of thecasing.

In order to start the motor of the vacuum producing apparatus (not shown) a switch in the circuit to the motor is associated with the valve casing and adapted to be automatically closed by opening of the slide valve and opened by closing of the slide valve.

Such a switch is shown in FIG. 3 as comprising a microswitch indicated generally at 48 and located in a pocket 49 in one edge of the lower casing member 6. 'A closure plate 50 normally encloses the switch 48 within the recess 49, and is detachably connected to the lower casing member 6 by screws 51, so that the switch is readily accessible for repairs or adjustment.

The switch 48 comprises the rigid conductor strip 52 and the flexible conductor strip 53 mounted in spaced relation upon the insulation block 54, which is fixed within the cavity 49 by screws 55. A fixed contact 56 is carried by the rigid conductor strip 52 and a movable contact 57 is carried by the flexible conductor strip 53.

An insulation stud 58 is fixed upon the free end of the flexible conductor strip 53 and adapted to move through the opening 59 in the interior wall of the cavity 49. The

flexible conductor strip 53 is so constructed that it normally assumes the flexed position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, whereby the movable contact 57 is separated from the fixed contact 56.

The conductor strips 52 and 53 are connected respectively to the circuit wires 60 and 61, leading to the motor 62, whereby closure of the switch will start the motor to operate the vacuum producing apparatus 63. In order to operate the switch by opening and closing of the slide valve, the insulation stud 58, on the flexible conductor strips 53, is always in contact with the adjacent edge of the sliding valve plate 24.

This edge of the valve plate 24 is inclined or tapered from an intermediate point to the outer end of the valve plate, as indicated at 64 in FIG. 3, the remaining portion of said edge being straight as shown at 65. Thus, when the slide valve is in closed position, the tapered edge 64 thereof will be located adjacent the opening 59, permitting the flexible conductor strip 53 to flex to the broken line position shown in FIG. 3, separating the contacts 56 and 57, thus opening the switch and shutting off the motor for the vacuum producing apparatus.

When the slide valve 24 is moved to the open position shown in FIG. 3, the inclined edge 64 thereof will push the insulation stud 58 through the opening 59, moving the flexible conductor strip to the full line position of FIG. 3, bringing the movable contact 51 into engagement with the fixed contact 56 and closing the circuit to the motor.

In the operation of the improved quick acting slide valve, when the vacuum cleaning tool 18 is not in use it is supported upon the guide rails 20, with the tubular neck 38 thereof held between the jaws 35, which are at that time held in closed position between the guide rails 19 and 20 of the casing members, as indicated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 1 is shown the manner in which the cleaning tool 18 is thus supported.

At this time the slide valve 24 is in closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, the imperforate portion thereof shutting off communication between the inlet pipe 14 and the flexible hose 17. In this position of the slide valve 24, the tapered or inclined edge portion 64 thereof is adjacent the opening 59, permitting the flexible conductor strip 53 to flex to the broken line position of FIG. 3, opening the microswitch 48. The motor is thus shut off during the time that the slide valve is closed.

When it is desired to use the vacuum cleaning tool, the operator grasps the tubular neck 38 thereof in one hand and pulls the same outwardly away from the valve casing 1. As the cleaning tool 18 is thus pulled outwardly, the jaws 35 will be pulled outwardly therewith, until they are withdrawn from the outer end of the casing and separated or opened by the springs 39, as shown in FIG. 2.

The cleaning tool is thus released from the jaws 35 and may be used for vacuum cleaning the interior of an automobile or the like. It will be seen that the slide valve 24 is thus quickly moved to open position and the microswitch 48 is simultaneously closed by the removal of the vacuum cleaning tool from the valve casing.

Thus the motor for the vacuum producing apparatus is automatically started and the valve in the vacuum line is instantly opened by removal of the vacuum cleaning tool, so that the tool is immediately rendered operative. As above described, the springs 39 are stronger than the springs 31, thus overcoming the pull thereof and holding parts in the position of FIG. 3.

When the operator has finished using the cleaning tool, he places the tubular neck 38 thereof between the open jaws 35, and by exerting a slight push inwardly against the jaws, the pressure of the springs 39 is overcome, and the jaws will close around the tubular neck 38.

The springs 31 will immediately snap the slide valve 24 back to closed position, pulling the jaws 35, and with them the neck 38 of the cleaning tool, inward between the guide arms 19 and 20, and supporting the nozzle portion of the tool 18 upon the upper guide bars 19, as shown in FIG. 1. At the same time the switch 48 is automatically opened, shutting oii the motor of the vacuum apparatus.

The action of the slide valve is instantaneous, as it is immediately opened when the cleaning tool is removed, and is snapped back to closed position when the cleaning tool is replaced. As best shown in FIG. 2, it is seen that the end of the slide valve 24, when in closed position, extends to the extreme end of the guide groove 23. This makes the slide valve self-cleaning, as any dust or dirt which may enter the guide groove while the valve is in open position will be removed therefrom when the slide valve is snapped to closed position.

In FIG. 5 is shown a modified form of spring loading device for the pivoted jaws. The nylon block 26 may be substantially the same as the nylon block disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3. A recess 34' is formed in the outer end of the block, in which the inner ends of the jaws 35' are pivoted, as indicated at 36'.

A coil spring 39' is connected at opposite ends to the inner ends of the jaws 35', as by the studs 40', so as to urge the jaws 35' apart when they are moved out from between the guide rails of the valve casing by removal of the vacuum cleaning tool therefrom.

The action will be otherwise the same as above disclosed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the spring 39' latching the shoulders 43' of the jaws over the ends 44' of the guide rails 19, overcoming the pull of the springs 31 and locking the valve plate in open position.

It should be understood that the spring means shown in FIG. 5, or any other suitable spring means may be substituted for the spring loading means 39-41 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, without otherwise changing the construc tion or operation of the device.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown an embodiment of the invention in which the sliding valve plate is mounted for rotary sliding movement rather than longitudinal sliding movement as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4. The valve casing is shown as formed of the similar upper and lower casing members 70 and 71 respectively, of flat, generally rectangular shape, having the spaced guide rails 72 at their outer ends. The casing members are connected together by studs or screws with spacers 74 providing a flat guideway 75 therebetween.

The slide valve is in the form of a rotary valve plate indicated generally at 76, slidably located in the guideway 75, and pivoted upon a stud 77 located through the casing members 70 and 71. The valve plate 76 is of generally triangular shape with an integral hooked or curved fingier 78 extending angularly from the apex of the triang e.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the triangular body portion of the valve plate 76 has a straight side edge 79, an arcuate end edge 80, and rounded corner 81 merging into the other side edge 82 and terminating in the substantially semi-circular inner edge 83 of the hooked finger 78.

An aperture 84 is formed in the valve plate 76 near the peripheral edge and adjacent the straight side edge 79 thereof. This aperture in the valve plate is adapted to register with the openings 85 and 86 in the upper and lower casing members respectively, which communicate with the tubular suction inlet member 87 and the tubular hose coupling 88 respectively, when the valve plate is rotated to open position, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6.

With this construction, with the valve plate 76 in closed position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 6, the hooked finger 78 thereof will be located transversely between the guide rails 72 of the casing, retaining the tubular shank 38' of the vacuum cleaning tool therebetween.

When the vacuum cleaning tool is removed from its support upon the guide rails 72, it will engage the hooked finger 78, swinging it to the broken line position of FIG. 6, rotating the valve plate 76 to the open position, with the aperture 84 therein registering with the transverse openings 85 and 86 in the-casing.

A cam projection 89 is formed upon the periphery of thearcuate edge 80 of therotatable valve plate 76, for operating the microswitch '48 in the same manner that the microswitch 48 is operated by the longitudinally slidable valve plate 24 in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Thus, as the valve plate 76 is rotated to open position, the cam projection 89 thereon will close the switch 48 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6, and when the valve plate is rotated to closed position, as shown in full lines, the cam projection 89 will be moved away from the switch permitting it to return to open position.

For the purpose of quickly snapping the valve plate 76 to open or closed position, as the case may be, and holding it in such position, a spring 90 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, this spring may be of substantially V- shape with a coil 91 at the apex or angle of the V.

One leg 92 of the spring has an angular terminal end 93 attached to the valve plate 76 and by insertion into an aperture 94 therein. The other leg 95 of the spring has an angular terminal end 96 located in an aperture 97 in one of the casing members.

In FIG. 7 this leg of the spring is shown connected to the upper casing member 70, and a pocket or recess 98 is formed in said casing member to accommodate the spring and permit movement thereof from the full line to the broken line positions of FIG. 6, as the valve plate is moved from closed to open position.

A stop pin 99 is located through the casing for contact with the shoulder 100 at one end of the cam projection 89, in order to limit the closing movement of the valve plate, and a stop pin 99 is provided for contact with the shoulder 100 on the valve plate for limiting the opening movement thereof.

A slight modification of the rotatable valve plate embodiment is shown in FIG. 8, in which all parts are the same as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, except that the V-shape spring 90 is replaced by a spring loaded plunger for snapping the valve plate to open and closed positions. All similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The plunger 101 is longitudinally slidable within the cylinder 102 and provided with a collar or shoulder 103. A coil spring 104 is interposed between the collar 103 and the opposite end of the cylinder to normally urge the plunger 101 outward. The cylinder 102 is located in a suitable recess 105 formed in the opposed surfaces of the casing members.

' An opening 106 is formed in the rotatable valve plate 76, and in one edge of said opening spaced notches 197 'and 108 are provided to alternately receive the rounded end 109 of the plunger 101 for holding the valve plate in open and closed positions respectively. A V-shape projection 110 is located between the notches 107 and 108 so that the rounded end of the plunger contacting the same will snap the valve plate quickly to open or closed position, as the case may be. I

Although in the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein the quick acting slide valve is shown as adapted to be opened by removal of a vacuum cleaning tool therefrom and replacement of the cleaning tool there on, it should be understood that the slide valve could be operated by various other means. For instance, the valve constructed as shown could be operated by a solenoid, hydraulic or air cylinder, pull cord or the like.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such Words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention or discovery, the construction, the operation, and use of preferred embodiu ments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the :new and useful construction, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A quick acting slide valve for a vacuum system including a motor driven vacuum producing apparatus, and a flexible hose With a vacuum cleaning tool thereon, said quick acting slide valve comprising an elongated casing having a transversely disposed opening therethrough, tubular means communicating with one end of said transverse opening for connection to the vacuum producing apparatus, tubular means communicating with the other end of said transverse opening for connection to the flexible hose, an elongated valve plate longitudinally slid ably located within said casing normally closing said transverse opening, the valve plate having an aperture therein arranged to register with said transverse opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, spring means normally urging the valve plate to closed position, spaced guide rails formed at one end of the casing, a block connected to the adjacent end of the valve plate and slidable between said guide rails, a spaced pair of jaws pivotally mounted upon said block, spring-loaded means urging said jaws apart, shoulders upon said jaws for engagement with the ends of said guide rails when the valve plate is moved to open position for latching the valve plate in open position, said jaws being adapted to receive the vacuum cleaning tool, whereby with the valve plate in open position, when the vacuum cleaning tool is pushed inwardly between the open jaws the jaws will be moved to closed position around the vacuum cleaning tool releasing the shoulders on the jaws from latching engagement with the guide rails and permitting said first named spring means to move the valve plate to closed position, moving the closed jaws with the vacuum cleaning tool therebetween inwardly between said guide rails, and whereby with the valve plate in closed position, when the vacuum cleaning tool is pulled outwardly, the valve plate will be moved to open position, the jaws will be moved out of said guide rails and will be opened by said second named spring-loaded means, releasing the vacuum cleaning tool and engaging the shoulders on the jaws with the ends of the guide rails, latching the valve plate in open position.-

2. A quick acting slide valve for a vacuum system including a motor driven vacuum producing apparatus, an electric circuit for the motor, and a flexible hose with a vacuum cleaning tool thereon, said quick acting slide valve comprising an elongated casing having a transversely disposed opening therethrough, tubular means communicating with one end of said transverse opening for connection to the vacuum producing apparatus, tubular means cornmunicating with the other end of said transverse opening for connection to the flexible hose, an elongated valve plate longitudinally slidably located within said casing normally closing said transverse opening, the valve plate having an aperture therein arranged to register with said transverse opening when the valve plate .is moved to open position, spring means normally urging'the valve plate to closed position, a switch in the motor circuit mounted upon said valve casing, means upon said valve plate for closing the switch when the valve plate is moved to open position and for opening the switch when the valve plate is moved to closed position, spaced guide rails formed at one end of the casing, a block connected to the adjacent end of the valve plate and slidable between said guide rails, a spaced pair of jaws pivotally mounted upon said block, spring-loaded means urging said jaws apart, shoulders upon said jaws for engagement with the ends of said guide rails when the valve plate is moved to open position for latching the valve plate in open position, said jaws being adapted to receive the vacuumcleaning tool, whereby with the valve plate in open position, when the vacuum cleaning tool is pushed inwardly between the open jaws the jaws will be moved to closed position around the vacuum cleaning tool releasing the shoulders on the jaws from latching engagement with the guide rails and permitting said first named spring means to move the valve plate to closed position, moving the closed jaws with the vacuum cleaning tool therebetween inwardly between said guide rails, and opening the switch, and whereby with the valve plate in closed position, when the vacuum cleaning tool is pulled outwardly, the valve plate will be moved to open position closing the switch, the jaws will be moved out of said guide rails and will be opened by said second named spring-loaded means, releasing the vacuum cleaning tool and engaging the shoulders on the jaws with the ends of the guide rails, latching the valve plate in open position.

3. A quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having spaced guide rails at one end thereof and a transverse opening therethrough, a vacuum line communicating with one end of said opening and a flexible hose communicating with the other end of said opening, a vacuum cleaning tool on the free end of said flexible hose and having a tubular shank adapted to be received between said guide rails when the vacuum cleaner tool is supported thereon, a valve plate slidably located within said casing normally closing said opening and having an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, and means upon the valve plate for engagement by the tubular shank of the vacuum cleaning tool for moving the valve plate to closed position when the vacuum cleaning tool is placed upon said guide rails and for moving the valve plate to open position when the vacuum cleaning tool is removed from said guide rails.

4. A quick acting slide valve for a vacuum system including a motor-driven vacuum producing apparatus, an electric circuit for the motor, and a flexible hose with a vacuum cleaning tool thereon, said quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having a transversely disposed opening therethrough, tubular means communicating with one end of said opening for connection to the vacuum producing apparatus, tubular means communicating with the other end of said opening for connection to the flexible hose, a valve plate slidably located within said casing normally closing said opening and having an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, means upon the valve casing for supporting the vacuum cleaning tool, means upon the valve plate for engagement by said tool for moving the valve plate to closed position when the tool is placed upon the casing and for moving the valve plate to open position when the tool is removed from the casing, a switch in the motor circuit mounted upon said valve casing and means upon the valve plate for closing the switch when the valve plate is moved to open position and for opening the switch when the valve plate is moved to closed position.

5. A quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having an opening therethrough and having spaced guide rails at one end, a valve plate rotatably slidably located within the casing for normally closing said opening and having an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is rotated to open position, a vacuum line connected to one end of said opening, a flexible hose connected to the other end of said opening and having a vacuum cleaning tool upon its end adapted to be supported upon said guide rails when the valve plate is in closed position, and a hooked finger upon said valve plate for engagement by the vacuum cleaning tool for rotating the valve plate to closed position when the vacuum cleaning tool is placed upon said guide rails and for rotating it) the valve plate to open position when the vacuum cleaning tool is removed from said guide rails.

6. A quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having an opening therethrough, a valve plate slidably located within said casing for normally closing said opening and having an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, a vacuum line connected to one end of said opening, a flexible hose connected to the other end of said opening and having a vacuum cleaning tool upon its end, means upon the valve casing for supporting the vacuum cleaning tool, and means upon the valve plate for engagement by said tool for moving the valve plate to closed position when the tool is placed upon the casing and for moving the valve plate to open position when the tool is removed from the casing.

7. A quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having an opening therethrough and having spaced guide rails at one end, an elongated valve plate longitudinally slidably located within said casing for normally closing said opening and having an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, a vacuum line connected to one end of said opening, a flexible hose connectedto the other end of said opening and having a vacuum cleaning tool upon its end adapted to be supported upon said guide rails when the valve plate is in closed position, and a spaced pair of jaws pivotally connected to said valve plate for sliding the valve plate to closed position when the vacuum cleaning tool is placed upon said guide rails and for sliding the valve plate to open position when the vacuum cleaning tool is removed from said guide rails.

8. A quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having an opening therethrough, a valve plate longitudinally slidably located within said casing for normally closing said opening and having an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, a vacuum line connected to one end of said opening, a flexible hose connected to the other end of said opening and having a vacuum cleaning tool upon its end, means upon the valve casing for supporting the vacuum cleaning tool, and means upon the valve plate for engagement by said tool for longitudinally sliding the valve plate to closed position when the tool is placed upon the casing and for longitudinally sliding the valve plate to open position when the tool is removed from the casing.

9. A quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having an opening therethrough, a valve plate rotatably slidably located within said casing for normally closing said opening and having an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, a vacuum line connected to one end of said opening, a flexible hose connected to the other end of said opening and having a vacuum cleaning tool upon its end, means upon the valve casing for supporting the vacuum cleaning tool, and means upon the valve plate for engagement by said tool for rotating the valve plate to closed position when the tool is placed upon the casing and for rotating the valve plate to open position when the tool is removed from the casing.

10. A quick acting slide valve for a vacuum system including a motor-driven vacuum producing apparatus, an electric circuit for the motor, and a flexible hose with a vacuum cleaning tool thereon, said quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having a transversely disposed opening therethrough, tubular means communicating with one end of said opening for connection to the vacuum producing apparatus, tubular means communicating with the other end of said opening for connection to the flexible hose, a valve plate longitudinally slidably located within said casing normally closing said opening and having an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valveplate is moved to open position, means upon the valve casing for supporting the vacuum cleaning tool, means upon the valve plate for engagement by said tool for longitudinally sliding the valve plate to closed position when the tool is placed upon the casing and for longitudinally sliding the valve plate to open position when the tool is removed from the casing, a switch in the motor circuit mounted upon said valve casing and means upon the valve plate for closing the switch when the valve plate is moved to open position and for opening the switch when the valve plate is moved to closed position.

11. A quick acting slide valve for a vacuum system including a motor-driven vacuum producing apparatus, an electric circuit for the motor, and a flexible hose with a vacuum cleaning tool thereon, said quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having a transversely disposed opening therethrough, tubular means communicating with one end of said opening for connection to the vacuum producing apparatus, tubular means communicating with the other end'of said opening for connection to the flexible hose, a valve plate rotatably slidably located within said casing normally closing said opening and having-an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, means upon the valve'casing for supporting the vacuum cleaning tool, means upon the valve plate for engagement by said tool for rotating the valve plate to closed position when the tool is placed upon the casing and forrotating the valve plate to open position when the tool is removed from the casing, a switch in the motor circuit mounted upon said valve casing and means upon the valve plate for closing the switch when the valve plate is moved to open position and for opening the switch when the valve plate is moved to closed position.

12. A quick acting slide valve comprising a casing having spaced guide rails at one end thereof and a transverse opening therethrough, a vacuum line communicating with one endof said opening and a flexible hose communicating with the other end of said opening, a vacuum cleaning tool on the free end of said flexible hose and having a tubular shank adapted to be received between said guide rails when the vacuum cleaner tool is supported thereon, a valve plate longitudinally 'slidably located within said casing normally closing said opening and having an aper ture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, and means upon the valve plate for engagement by the tubular shank of the vacuum cleaning tool for longitudinally sliding the valve plate to closed position when the vacuum cleaning tool is placed upon said guide rails and for longitudinally sliding the valve plate to open position when the vacuum cleaning tool is removed from said guide rails.

13. A quick acting slide valve comprising a casing hav-' ing spaced'guide rails at one end thereof and a transverse opening therethrough, a vacuum line communicating with one end of said opening and a flexible hose communicating with the other end of said opening, a vacuum cleaning tool on the free end of said flexible hose and having a tubular shank adapted to be received between said guide.

rails when the vacuum cleaner tool is supported thereon, a valve plate rotatably slidably located within said casing normally'closing said opening and having an aperture therein arranged to register with said opening when the valve plate is moved to open position, and means upon the valve plate for engagement by the tubular shank of the vacuum cleaning tool for rotating the valve plate to closed position when the vacuum cleaning tool is placed upon said guide rails and for rotating the valve plate to open position when the vacuum cleaning tool is removed from said guide rails.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 841,932 Hamilton Jan. 15, 1907 1,063,019 Delaney May 27, 1913 1,618,667 Melcher Feb. 22, 1927 1,892,260 Wick Dec. 27, 1932 3,027,587 Bierstock Apr. 3, 1962 3,036,170 Forney May 22, 1962 

6. A QUICK ACTING SLIDE VALVE COMPRISING A CASING HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH, A VALVE PLATE SLIDABLY LOCATED WITHIN SAID CASING FOR NORMALLY CLOSING SAID OPENING AND HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN ARRANGED TO REGISTER WITH SAID OPENING WHEN THE VALVE PLATE IS MOVED TO OPEN POSITION, A VACUUM LINE CONNECTED TO ONE END OF SAID OPENING, A FLEXIBLE HOSE CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID OPENING AND HAVING A VACUUM CLEANING TOOL UPON ITS END, MEANS UPON THE VALVE CASING FOR SUPPORTING THE VACUUM CLEANING TOOL, AND MEANS UPON THE VALVE PLATE FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID TOOL FOR MOVING THE VALVE PLATE TO CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE TOOL IS PLACED UPON THE CASING AND FOR MOVING THE VALVE PLATE TO OPEN POSITION WHEN THE TOOL IS REMOVED FROM THE CASING. 